on the record: June 2008 Archives

Well, here we go again. You will
remember recent discussion here and elsewhere about the almost-elimination of
the position of music critic at the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution.A combination
of local and national pressure reversed that decision. But now we have the
situation all over again, this time in Kansas City
and Miami. Here's
a digest that appeared June 20 in In the News, the League of American
Orchestras' daily newsletter to the orchestra field:

June 11-14, 2008 saw the first true National Performing Arts Convention, a gathering of service
organizations in Denver
representing all of the performing arts. It is true that a similarly-billed
convention took place in Pittsburgh,
in 2004. But because that was a toe-in-the-water attempt, it was more a
grouping of separate conferences with opening and closing sessions produced
jointly, and one day (Saturday) of joint seminars and workshops that were not
all that well attended, many having departed for home by Saturday morning.

As I completed my
tenure as president and CEO of the League of American Orchestras, I felt it
appropriate to share with the delegates to our annual conference in Denver thoughts that I
had been gathering during that tenure. Although I will continue to represent
the League by visiting orchestras around the country, as I have for more than
five years now, and will deepen my involvement with some orchestras by doing
more extensive consulting with them, I felt that the conclusion of that
specific position--and in fact the conclusion of 45 consecutive years of
full-time positions directly or indirectly connected with symphony orchestras--was
an appropriate occasion for reflection and observation. So I hope you won't
mind my taking advantage of the opportunity of sharing that speech with you.
Here is the text of the speech.

I have received a number of
comments, particularly recently, asking why I don't explore the difficulties
that some orchestras, such as the Columbus Symphony, are experiencing, and
perhaps offer analysis and even recommendations for solutions.

I know I have written before about the topic of female
conductors, and how this area has so completely changed during my professional
life. But I have to raise it again because, well, it raised itself, in March
and April.